The Beverly Fire Department responded to the area of Elliott St and Northern Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle into a house the afternoon of April 18. Upon arrival, Captain Michael McCadden found a two vehicle accident with one vehicle in the road and a second up against 2 Northern Ave.

After quickly assessing the scene, it was determined that the Jaws of Life would be required to gain access to two passengers in the vehicle in the roadway. Crews from Ladder 1 used the Jaws to remove the passenger door from the vehicle and removed two victims from the car with paramedics. Both victims were brought to the hospital for further assessment and treatment.

The occupant of the second vehicle did not complain of injuries and was not trapped in the vehicle. The second vehicle did strike the brick stairs of 2 Northern Ave and the homeowner was advised to have them checked.

Crews were on scene for roughly 40 minutes, clearing once both vehicles were removed from the scene.

Beverly Fire Department Awarded $41,662 for Fire Prevention EffortThe Beverly Fire Department was awarded $41,662 through a Fire Prevention And Safety grant sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. The grant is for the improvement of current fire prevention efforts to ensure that children and seniors are more effectively reached out to.

The largest portion of the grant is focused on children in kindergarten through third grade. Past efforts have focused on an assembly style of teaching that got all of the children in grades K-3 into the cafetorium at their respective schools and taught the whole group at the same time. Although the fire safety message was getting out, it wasn’t an effective message for all age groups. Under the new program, fire educators will teach children by grade. Each student will receive the same amount of fire prevention education as in the past, but the curriculum delivered by the firefighter will be age appropriate. In addition to providing age appropriate curriculum, this program also decreases the student to educator ratio making the process more personal and easier for children to learn.

As part of the child education portion of the grant, the Beverly Fire Department will purchase two props for stimulating the children’s minds. For the younger kids, the Patches and Pumper robot is a remote control fire truck driven by Patches the dog. Patches can interact with the children and stimulate their thinking about the importance of fire safety while working with a fire educator. For the older kids, Sparky’s Hazard House is a cutaway of a typical residential home that is used to display common hazards and fire safety practices.For older adults, fire educators will be increasing their visits to several senior venues to talk about everything from building and fire safety to slip and fall prevention. In the past the Department has conducted visits coordinated with the Senior Center. While the Department hopes to continue those visits, it also seeks to speak at residential venues so that occupants are aware of what it is they are expected to do in the event of a fire and what they can do to prevent a fire.Congressman John Tierney assisted with the grant that has a total cost of $46,291 with a ten percent cost share to be picked up by the City of Beverly. “With such tight budgets at the local level, federal grant programs are increasingly important avenues to seek,” said Chief Richard Pierce.

Group 4 responded to a motor vehicle accident involving a PT Cruiser, and a parked postal truck

Firefighters Battle Stubborn Truck Fire

At 0028 March 31, Engine 5 was dispatched to the area of Rt 128 North by exit 17 for a report of a motor vehicle fire. Upon arrival, Lt. Robert Atherton and his crew found a Ford F-350 fully engulfed in flames. Recognizing that he would need more water than is in the Fire Engines tank, Lt. Atherton called for a second Engine company to respond and began to knock down the fire. Wenham Engine 404 arrived on scene and assisted dousing the blaze that had traffic tied up.

In total, more than 600 gallons of water, foam and a dry chemical extinguisher were used to fully extinguish the fire that destroyed the truck.

No one was injured and it is unknown what started the fire.

Firefighters David Genest (left) and Kevin Smith shortly before graduation

Two Beverly Firefighters Graduate Mass Fire Academy

On Friday March 28, Firefighters David Genest and Kevin Smith walked across the podium at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School with 67 classmates as graduates of the 12 week Recruit Program at the Massachusetts Fire Academy. The program is designed to give new firefighters a classroom education as well as the hands on training they will need to perform tasks on the job.

Firefighters begin with the basics of their personal protective gear and fire behavior then progress to fighting fires, performing rescues, practicing vehicle extrication and responding to hazardous materials incidents. Throughout the 12 weeks recruits are tasked to perform in an efficient but safe manner. Along the way they are tested physically and mentally. At the end of the class, they earn a national certification to Firefighter Level I/II.

Firefighter Kevin Smith proved to both his fellow recruits and his instructors that he was more than up to the challenge by showing himself as a leader amongst the class and performing extremely well both technically and academically. Firefighter Smith earned the Richard N. Bangs award as the class’ top recruit. The award takes into consideration academic achievement, technical proficiency and the opinions of the instructors.

Both firefighters return to their normal duty assignments as of Wednesday April 2.